Shinnamon said the meeting left him doubtful about his future with the city. He was fired Dec. 2, about a month before his two-year contract expired.

Faiella denied Monday that such a meeting took place, and said Tuesday, through city spokesman Ed Cunningham, that she did not believe it was appropriate to comment until an investigation is finished. Police Capt. Joe D'Agostino on Monday asked for an independent investigation into allegations that the mayor created a hostile work environment and used her position inappropriately to influence police department personnel issues.

Through Cunningham, Faiella said she is looking forward to all the facts being told.

Shinnamon said several people overheard the meeting, which was not behind closed doors. Borges served as Faiella's campaign manager.

Shinnamon also said Borges requested to be assigned as the mayor's driver, but Capt. Scott Bartal denied the request. Faiella said Monday that rumors, including her request for a driver, had no basis.

"I was never in the chief's office," Faiella said Monday. "I never asked the chief any questions about contracts."

Questions about a meeting emerged after Councilwoman Michelle Berger sent an e-mail Saturday to City Manager Jerry Bentrott asking him to confirm or disprove a report that Faiella and two men, who were serving as Faiella's representatives, asked the chief when his contract ends and how much it was going to cost Port St. Lucie when he was released early.

Faiella said Friday she did not have a hand in Shinnamon's firing and didn't know why Shinnamon was fired.

D'Agostino wrote a memo Friday accusing Faiella of playing a role in Shinnamon's firing and expressing fear that the mayor could use her influence to hurt his career. In a memo Monday, D'Agostino wrote that the meeting between Shinnamon, Faiella, Borges and the third man took place and the meeting violated the city charter.Berger wrote in her Saturday e-mail that if the meeting did happen, it would be inappropriate for Borges to talk to Shinnamon about his contract.

"It seems like an unlikely scenario, an officer that reports to the chief of police, basically offering the suggestion that there may be a termination in the chief's future," Berger wrote. "At best, this is impolite. At worst, he felt so empowered sitting next to the mayor-elect that he could say whatever he wanted. Was this at Faeilla's directions? Perhaps none of this happened at all."

Shinnamon is entitled to a three months' severance package that will cost the city $33,747. He gets $24,823 after taxes, according to city figures. He's also entitled to a payout that will cost the city $11,834; Shinnamon gets $7,504 after taxes.

Shinnamon said the third man, referred to as "JT" in Berger's e-mail, was at his office with Faiella and Borges, but did not speak. Shinnamon said he did not know the name of the third man.

Shinnamon said the conversation began casually — he stood for the entire meeting — but Faiella asked whether the city renewed his contract. Shinnamon's contract renewed by default because city officials had to let him know by October if they did not want to renew the contract. The city did not notify him by that deadline.

"She said, 'They told me they didn't renew your contract,' which is the part I found most disturbing because she obviously had great interest in my contract," Shinnamon said.

Shinnamon said he told Faiella and Borges his contract could be terminated at any time so long as the city paid severance.

"Frankie Borges shot back, 'How many months?' to the point where those around who listened to this conversation felt that he was close to being insubordinate," Shinnamon said. "I said, 'Three months.'"

Shinnamon questioned why the mayor would deny the meeting and the conversation about his contract.

"There's no question it was said, and it was said in the open, in the outer office in front of other people," Shinnamon said. "To deny that that conversation took place is curious at best."

Shinnamon also said Borges' request to work with the mayor came up during the meeting.

"Frankie asked me if that had been taken care of," Shinnamon said. "I said, 'I was told by Capt. Bartal that he told you you could take vacation. We can't assign you to the mayor.'"

In the meantime, Faiella issued a statement late Monday saying she asked Bentrott to direct City Attorney Roger Orr to send D'Agostino's memos regarding potential criminal allegations to the state attorney's office. According to the statement, Bentrott will address all allegations of city rules being broken.

Bentrott was not in the office Tuesday.

Cunningham said that as of 2 p.m., the memos had not been forwarded to the state attorney's office, but the legal department was working on the matter. He did not know whether the memos would be delivered Tuesday.

D'Agostino sent a memo to Bentrott on Friday saying the mayor created a hostile work environment and D'Agostino feared retaliation from the mayor. In that memo, D'Agostino wrote Shinnamon told him to "watch his back" because the mayor was seeking retribution.

Berger said the city should let the state attorney's office determine what would be appropriate for the city to handle internally.

"We need to just present it all up front," she said.

Councilman Jack Kelly said he was glad to see the criminal investigation is being handled externally.

"Absolutely externally, I think the mayor and everyone have made the right call," he said. "If it was handled internally, it could be interpreted in a bad way."

Kelly said he wants the investigation to conclude expeditiously.

"I just want it over," he said. "I hope it's done quickly so we can get on to other business."